Schools and colleges to remain closed until July 31: MHA guidelines for Unlock 2

The Ministry of Home Affairs has released a new set of guidelines to be followed, as per which, schools, colleges will remain closed until July 31. Read further to know more.

Schools, colleges and educational institutions across India will remain closed until July 31, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced in its new Unlock 2 guidelines. 

As per the guidelines issued by the MHA, until July 31 the lockdown will continue in the containment zones. Online/ distance learning will continue and shall be encouraged. Training institutions of Central and state government will be allowed to function from July 15, 2020, for which Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will be issued by Department of Personnel & Training (Dopt)

All other activities except those which have been prohibited will be allowed to continue outside the containment zones, the guidelines stated.

The Curfew hours have also been extended now and will be in force from 10 pm to 5 am. The old guidelines which had been issued on May 30 will remain in effect until June 30.

Metro rail services will remain suspended, as will pools, cinemas and gymnasiums. Dates for resuming these activities will be decided later. 

“The new guidelines, issued today, are based on feedback received from States and UTs, and extensive consultations held with related central ministries and departments. As stipulated in the Unlock 1 order and guidelines issued on May 30 2020, certain activities, including religious places and places of worship for public; hotels, restaurants and other hospitality services; and shopping malls; have already been permitted from June 8, 2020 outside the Containment Zones. Detailed standard operating procedures (SOPs) have also been issued,” it said.

Domestic flights and passenger trains have already begun,the guidelines say. Their operations will be further expanded in a calibrated manner,” the guidelines say.

In mid-March, all the schools, colleges and other educational institutions across the country were shut down due to coronavirus outbreak and as a preventive measure to contain further spread of the virus. With rising number of cases of coronavirus in the country, it is still uncertain for schools and colleges to open up soon.

Read the full notification by Ministry of Home Affairs, here

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